Commentary on Zodiacal Magic

By Mark Stavish, M.A., FRC, SI

for: The Wyoming Valley Society for Esoteric Studies

Copyright 1998 Mark Stavish, M.A.

Introduction

Zodiacal
magic is one of the most sophisticated and significant forms of ritual that an
aspiring magician can undertake. The
skills needed to perform the rituals smoothly and consciously, aware of the
inner as well as outer meanings of the symbols used, represents almost half a
decade or more of study in many instances.
While some may pursue the application of magic at a more rapid pace, and
undertake the zodical operations in their first three or four years of study,
it is not uncommon for many students to go more moderately to the task and
approach this phase of their Work in their fifth or sixth year of
training. The reasoning for this is
simple. Personal and professional obligations aside, the required preliminaries
for performing an invocation of Zodiacal force are knowledge of the Lesser
and Greater PentagramRituals, both of which require a minimum
of one year each of regular study.
In addition, knowledge of the Lesser and Greater Hexagram
Rituals, both of which require almost a year of study each, is also
required. Add to this an additional year to become familiar with how the
Pentagram and Hexagram Rituals interact with one another, and it is easy to see
how four or five years can fly by in just learning the basics.

Theoretical Overview

The
purpose of zodiacal magic is allow the magician to approach, contact, and
direct the energies of each of the Signs of the Zodiac. This is first done when the Sun enters each
of the Signs around the third week of each month, and can later be done at will
by the magician. The energies of the
Zodiac have planetary and Elemental qualities to them, but on a much larger and
potent scale than if either of them were invoked individually. Thus, the Fire
of Aries is more potent than just Elemental Fire, and the forces of Mars more
direct and focused than if Mars alone had been invoked. Each sign is a complete synthesis of several
complex qualities drawing not only on the energies of Assiah and Yetzirah, but
also in some fashion on the influences of the Fifteenth Path of the Tree of
Life, or the Path between Tiphareth (our Higher Self) and Hockman (the
Zodiac). For this reason, it is also
important, that Pathworking up to Tiphareth has been undertaken once or twice
before undertaking Zodiacal operations.

Experiences
we may have: revelation of the Name our
Human type, hidden revelations of astrology (esoteric astrology), influx of
Divine Energy of a fiery nature regardless of the Sign invoked (this is a very
raw, primordial energy or "Secret Fire.")

Symbols of Zodical Rituals

The
symbols involved in a qabalistic ritual for each sign of the zodiac are: 1)The permutation of the Divine Name; 2) The
Godform of the Sign; 3) the ruling planet of the sign; 4) the Element of the
sign; 5) the archangel of the Sign; 6) the Tarot Card of the Sign; 7) and the
Hebrew Letter Correspondence of the Sign.
Thus we are able to go from the very abstract to the very personal
connections with the energy being invoked.

What
is nice about having all of these elements is that it shows us that magic
involving signs of the Zodiac involve a complex relationship of force, many of
whom we are expected to be familiar with through previous work. This array of symbols also allows us to
build rituals and/or meditations that are as complex or as simple as we desire,
based upon our inner competency with the material. For this reason we will give outlines for three rituals: basic,
intermediate, and a complete ritual using all of the symbols mentioned. As each person progresses in their
familiarity with the material, they will be able to add, delete, or modify the
actual rituals they create, as they advance on the Path.

The Divine Name

The
Divine Name is by far the most significant aspect of a Qabalistic ritual, and
often the one thing most often overlooked.
Through the Name alone, we can contact the potent energies of each sign
and come to understand a myriad of
associations with each of the Tribes of Israel, the Disciples
of Jesus, and the Book of Revelations. Each Name is different in its arrangement of the letters of the
Tetragrammaton, but all are inwardly equal since all add up to the same number
(26) using gemetria.

Each
name also represents a kind of esoteric astrology, were each human being
resonates with one of these names[1], and it
represents their . inner astrological sign. regardless of the sign present
during the time of their birth. In fact, recognition of this personal resonance,
can constitute a kind of . re-birth. where in the date and time of
the revelation is used to cast an entirely new horoscope.[2]

Each
configuration of the Name represents a particular ordering of the basic
Elements of creation, thus constituting a pattern, or relationship of energy in
each of us. For example, YHVH means the
proper ordering of Fire (Yod), Air (Heh)[3],
Water (Vau), and Earth (final Heh).
This is also the Name applied to the first sign of the zodiac, or Aries.

In
the Sign for Cancer we have the ordering as such: Heh, Vau, Heh, Yod. Unfortunately, it is rarely pointed out which
Heh is the final Heh (Heh Sophith) in most of the existing lists, and
each must figure this out for themselves is they so desire. Yet, even without this detail, we are fully
capable of using each Name as a meditative, or ritual device for resonating
with the powers of the sign it dominates, or one could even say, creates. This
might be critical - the Names came first in creation, and create the Signs of
the Zodiac. Thus, the Sign represent,
or are symbolic of the Divine Names, not the other way around. Working with the
Names alone is more potent than working just with the astrological signs.
Together they form a powerful combination of energy and forms.

The
ordering of the Names however is in question. Different authorities give differing attributions of which
permutation belongs to which sign.
Cornelius Agrippa gives one set in his work, Three Books of Occult
Philosophy. The Philosophers of
Nature[4]
give a different ordering, more in line with the Golden Dawn. However, recently published material even
suggests that some of the Golden Dawn attributions were in error[5],
and one author, Donald Tyson, has chosen to re-write them altogether.[6]

It is important to recognize these differences, but to not be tied down by
them. Pick the ordering that best
appeals to you inwardly and work with them.
They may change over time, and you may work with a different set
later. However, working with an
imperfect tool is better than doing no work at all. Like all symbols, they are to be a means to and end -here an
inner state of increased awareness, power, and love - and not an end in and of
themselves.

The Godform of the Sign

Godforms are used as a means of identifying with cosmic principles on an intensely
and personal level. In short, through
the use of highly detailed
visualizations, we identify with the forces and ideas so intimately that we temporarily
replace our human ego structure, with that of a god (or what ever else we
are identifying with). When done on
a regular basis, it becomes possible to "incarnate" aspects of the chosen deity
into one's regular ego structure. As a
result, we can as the ancients said, "Speak with the authority of the gods."

For me information on
Assumption of the Godform, see: Assumption
of the Godform, (please link to article here)

Ruling planet of the Sign

The ruling planet of
a sign acts a vehicle or filter for the transfer of that sign. s energy
into our solar system, and ultimately, our inner and outer worlds. Traditionally
only the seven visible planets
(or . stars. ) were used, and as a rule, are still the best bet
for beginners to this work. Some
experienced qabalists have used the additional planets of Neptune, Uranus, and
Pluto in some work, but this is not widespread.

If
we look at each planet, we see that with the exceptions of the Sun and the Moon,
each planet has both an active and a passive sign that it dominates. These active and passive modes can be used
for either material or spiritual work, or for the creation or elimination of
conditions in our inner or outer life.

By
examining the fundamental symbols of each planet, we can get an inner
understanding of what these composite symbols represent. For example, the circle represents infinity,
as well as life giving, or solar energy.
The crescent represents contracting, materializing, or lunar energy. The
horizontal line is the passive energy of matter; and the vertical line, the
active energy of matter. Combined in
the form of an equilateral cross, they form the symbol for matter, or the
planet Earth.

Saturn - & The energies of the 4 elements dominate the lunar
energies transmitted to the earth.

Jupiter - The lunar energies dominate the energies of the
earth, the reverse of Saturn. The reverse is due to the passage of the Abyss
(between Binah/Saturn and Chesed/Jupiter).

Mars - Mars expresses outwardly the solar energies it
receives. It therefore is the symbol of
force, its energies should revitalize the blood.

Sun - & It transmits the energies of the Infinite into
our system.

Venus - ..Here the solar energies dominate the energies of
earth.

Mercury - ..The lunar and solar energies are united to
dominate the energies of the earth. It
is the planet of magic, of alchemy, of astrology and initiation.

Moon - It. s symbol represents its function which is to
only transmit part of the solar energies in its domain.

Element of the Sign

Just as our
relationship to the planets is strengthened through rituals involving the zodiac,
so are our relationships to the various aspects of manifestation, better known
as . The Elements. . Here,
on the level of manifestation, we can see how the archetypal creative forces of
the cosmos effect our psychic centers (the planets) and ultimately our physical
bodies, environment, and world as a whole (the Elements).

Since zodiacal
magic draws upon the spiritual forces of Atzilooth, and is predominantly
. fiery. or energetic, electric, penetrating, and expansive in
nature, it adds these qualities to all it touches.

Thus,
those Signs of a fixed, and stable nature, are made more concrete. Those of a mutable nature more
flexible and adaptable, and cardinal signs more
energetic and expansive. Just as
each of the Sepheroth and planets
has its virtues and vices, or positive and negative qualities, so do
each of the Signs. These traits are
a reflection of the three-fold aspect of each Sign: 1) it.
s ruling planet; 2) it. s Elemental attribute;
and 3) it. s designation as fixed, mutable, or cardinal
(quadruplicities).

It is
this kind of complexity of layering of attributes that requires one work up to
zodiacal magic by starting with Elemental, and then Planetary rituals first. A thorough understanding of these .
preliminaries. will allow for a more productive and active functioning when
doing operations on the Signs. If you
understand the nature of the Elements, and how they interact with the planets,
it is an easier matter to add the additional element of quadruplicities than
starting from scratch.

The Elemental
attribute can make it slightly easier for us when doing work on the Signs,
in that instead of having to find the Sign. s location in the sky at the
time of working, we can simply invoke it from its Elemental quarter in the
temple.

Archangel of the Sign

Each Sign,
like each sepheroth, or planet, has its own ruling intelligence. These .
archangels. rule the sign, and administer its overall function. Each sign also has an angelic force for each
of its decants, for a total of seventy-two total. These angels can be found along with their sigilium (magical
signatures, or symbols) in The Kabbalah of theGolden Dawn by Pat
Zalweski.

Tarot Card of the Sign

The
tarot trumps are often used in conjunction with Pathworking, as well as
zodiacal rituals. These cards, or
trumps, represent a pictorial synthesis of the essence of each Path on the Tree
of Life. Since twelve of these Paths
have astrological correspondences, the Paths pertaining to them are invoked,
even if indirectly, when doing Zodical magic.
Those Paths are:

A
close look will show us that the majority of these Paths, seven, are at or
above Tiphareth; three more lead up to Tiphareth. Only two are below it, and they both lead to Netzach, or Venus,
and govern all things of life on earth, as well as early knowledge of astrology
through the number seven.

Thus, we
can see, that the function of astrological magic is to assist us in having that
experience known as "Knowledge and Conversation. with our . Holy
Guardian Angel. or Inner Self, and its perfection as a permanent state within
us. It also shows that though these
specific rituals, we access power, knowledge, and energy that is very
primordial in origin. Only through a
healthy understanding of planetary and Elemental magic can be regularly access
this energy on a manageable basis and not have it overload our systems.[8]

Hebrew Letters

Each of
the twelve simply Hebrew letters corresponds to one of the signs of the Zodiac
as well as one of the organs of the human body. The seven double letters are associated with the
. openings. or organs of the head, and the three mother letters with the
head, chest, and stomach (solar plexus), or the three principle psychic organs
of primitive esoteric systems. These
correspondences are found in the Sepher Yetzirah, and are the basis for some forms of qabalistic
healing practices. The manipulation of these
letters also can in themselves allow for heightened states of awareness,
energy flow throughout the psychic and physical bodies, and an increased
efficacy in the development of the . Magical Voice. , or transformation of
our speech in . The (Creative) Word. .

For
those unfamiliar with the associations of the Hebrew alphabet, Zodiac rituals
allow for the use of them as either a principle focal point, or in a supporting
role, depending on the practitioners level of familiarity.[9]

Practical Considerations

All forms of magic are essentially aimed at some kind of
practical effect. While psychological
integration and spiritual illumination are eminently practical, most
practitioners view practical only in terms of material benefit. To this end, zodical magic can be applied
easily and with tremendous effect through following a few simply rules.

The
map of the heavens, or "Chemical Sky", is an effective rubric of how
to apply the signs and their attributes for specifically more material, or more
spiritual effects.[10] By examining the chart we can see that the
signs are divided into two sets, one ruled more or less by the Sun and the
other my the Moon. Those under the
domain of the Sun are more active, those of the Moon more passive. However, from our perspective, this is
highly relative, and it is more important that we look at whether the sign is
active or passive. Those in an active
mode, such as Aries, are better for spiritual work. Those such as Capricorn, are better for work that requires a
material manifestation.

By
working when the sun is in that sign, during or near a full moon, and on its
planetary ruler, and in the correct planetary hour, we have at our disposal all
of the energies of that sign for our use.

This
is not to say that we can't do a ritual at other times, only that at these
times, the energy is most easily contacted and directed.

Psychological Effects

In addition to allowing us to encounter profoundly
ancient archetypal energies directly, and to link the various aspects of out
psyche into a more synthetic and harmonious being, we find that working on the
zodiac takes us back to the very beginnings of creation (on some level).

We find that the essentially fiery nature of the Signs is the multiple
manifestations of the . Secret. or . Creative. Fire of alchemists,
magicians, and occultists alike. It is
essentially a sexual energy, of the most profoundly ecstatic we can
encounter. Though it, we are taken back
to the twelve primary manifestations of creation, and even further back to the
primary Parental Archetypes of Male-Female/God-Goddess as well. The basic tenants of Freudian psychology are
vindicated in this regard. For magic is
a creative act, all creative acts are sexual (or the passionate binding of
opposites), at the base of our being we are sexual beings. However, on the
level of Malkooth, this raw, corrupted, and unrefined sexual nature must be
abandoned, and maybe even temporarily rejected, in favor of more subtle
directions. Freudian psychoanalysis reveals our fundamental drives and
influencing factors on a deep and primordial level. This dark region is then transcended through the application of
Jungian or Transpersonal psychology.
However, in the end, what has been rejected, must be integrated into the
whole, and our very source of life and power itself must be made a cooperative
part of our selves. In the end, we end
up where we have begun, only on a more precise, wiser, and more loving level,
where we direct the forces within us, and are not directed by them.

That
which is first would be last, and that which is last will be first. aptly
described the situation of those delving into zodiacal magic as a capstone to their
ceremonial career. Often the
experiences it offers reminds us of the importance of basics, fundamentals, and
that everything was always there right in front of us all along, buried in the
most simple of meditations and rituals, waiting for us to uncover it.

Holy Guardian Angel

It would not be out of place to
mention that while ceremonial magic has many functions, and that its various rituals can
be applied to mundane as well as psychic, and spiritual ends, the true purpose
of all esotericism is so that we might experience that state known as .
Knowledge and Conversation with our Holy Guardian Angel. . Our highest self,
true spark of God within, that
teaches, illuminates, loves, and heals us and guides us in our Becoming. It
is a peculiar aspect of our self, in
which in encounter it first as something almost alien or exterior to us (for it
is from the view of our daily life), and over time, more from an . I-Thou. relationship
with it, to an extreme identification, or oneness with it. This oneness,
is typified as . The Alchemical Marriage.
and according to hermetic tradition, is the crowning achievement of our
adepthood. It is the Qabalistic equivalent of
achieving . The Philosopher. s Stone. .

For
this experience however, there are no rituals that we can do. There is nothing that will confer this
blessed state on us from without. Yet, even here, we are not without hope. If all esoteric practices are designed to
prepare us for this experience, then through their repeated practice we create
a stronger link with the very unconscious parts of our Self that we seek, or
more aptly, passionately desire, to bring through into daily awareness.

Since
all is preparation, we can even perform one of several rituals, designed to
specifically prepare us for this state of Illumination, even Grace.

Our
Highest Self is an intense pressure, ever seeking, waiting, earnestly desiring
to manifest in our daily consciousness.
It is always ready, willing, and able to assist us in our lives. Yet,
all to often, we fail to stop, pause, and ask it for assistance. Sometimes when we do, we even decide that
our ego will dictate to IT, and instead of listening to our Highest Self, we
are lecturing to it!

Only
through an act of complete surrender, and openness to what it has to instruct
us in, and guide us towards, can we really experience the Overshadowing of our
Holy Guardian Angel.

For
this however, we must slay all fear. Cast out all doubt. Trust, confidence, Faith must fill our
hearts and minds. Faith! It is an
irony, that for years, decades even, we labor and work to replace the simple
faith of an often bigoted and biased religion with the tested experiences of
the inner life, only once again to be confronted with that word. A word which through ignorance has been
tainted and distorted, but which can still be redeemed.

Faith here
is still . Belief in things unseen. but also so much more. For our faith is
not based on blind ignorance, fear, or superstition, but on the hard won
knowledge that this superhuman part of our self exists. Faith is the ability to surrender, sacrifice
and give up all that is human for that which is transcendent. Faith is not a negative state, but one of
extreme postiveness, in which we are confident, albeit arrogant from a human
point of view, regarding the nature of this invisible Self.

Give LVX Signs if
know. After a period of meditation in the in the East or West of the alter (but
not in the Quarters), give five knocks.(I I I I I). Go the Northeast (or East) and say:

"Hekas, Hekas, Este Bebeloi! Be Far From this
Sacred Place Profane Ones!"

Perform the LBRP

Perform the LBRH

Pick up the Cup and
purify with Water starting in the East.
Trace cross and Water triangle in each Quarter (optional):

"So therefore first the priest who governeth
the works of Fire must sprinkle with the Lustral Waters of the loud resounding
sea."

Pick up the censor
and purify the room with Fire starting in the East. Trace cross and Fire triangle in each Quarter (optional):

"And when after all the phantoms are
banished, thou shalt see that Holy and formless Fire which darts and flashes
through the hidden depth of the Universe.
Hear thou, the Voice of Fire!"

Circumambulate the
temple three times deosil (clockwise).
Give saluting sign upon each passing of the East. Stand West of the alter, facing East, and
perform Adoration of the Lord of the Universe.

"Holy art Thou oh Lord of the
Universe!Holy Art Thou whom Nature hath not Formed!Holy Art Thou Vast
and Mighty One!Lord of Light and of the Darkness!(Nought that Silence can express)"

Perform the SIRP

Go to the East and contemplate
your Kether and Invoke . Eheieh. four times. Give the LVX Signs (if known), and say:

"Unto Thee sole
wise, sole eternal, and sole merciful one, be praise and glory for ever. You who has permitted me, who now stands
humbly before Thee, to enter thus far into the sanctuary of thy Mysteries. Not unto me, Adonai, but unto Thy Name be
the Glory, now and forever more. Let
the influence of thy Divine Ones descend upon my head, and teach me the value
of self-sacrifice so that I shrink not in the hour of trial. But that thus my name be written on high,
and my Genius (Holy Guardian Angel) stand in the presence of the Holy One. In that hour when the Son of Man is invoked
before they Lord of Spirits and his Name before the Ancient of Days."

Formulate the
Quarters around you, and Four Pillars at your sides.

Visualize the Sign
of Tiphareth, or the Banner of the East clearly. Let it envelope you as in a
cloak.

Perform the
Qabalistic Cross.

Perform the SIRP
using the Spirit Active Pentagram, and Pentagram of Fire in all four
Quarters. Trace the sign of Aries in
the Fire Pentagram. Give the Elemental
Sign (if known) after each Pentagram.

Invoke the Four
Archangels and do the Qabalistic Cross.

Perform the Lesser
Invoking Ritual of the Hexagram of Mars with the four forms in their respective
Quarters (Optional).

Invoke with: "ARARITA!"

Analysis of the
Keyword (IAO) when done.

Face the Sign of
Aries and Trace the Sigil in the air.
Trace the Supreme hexagram of Mars. Virbrate
. ARARITA!. with Hexagram, and "Elohim Gibor!" with the sigil of Mars. Trace Aleph and vibrate it.

Trace the Sigil of
Aries again, in the center of the Hexagram and intone the Divine Name
"Yod-Heh-Vau-Heh!"

Say the following:

"In the (First)
Permutation of the unutterable Name of God, the Vast One, thee I invoke! O
powers of the Sign of the (Ram)!
(Prince) of the Zodiac! Thee I invoke!
Lord of the (Head) ARIES! I invoke Thee! Thou who leads the Tribe of (Gad)! Thou who who are the Ruler
over the letter (Heh)! Thee I
invoke! Thou whose mighty Archangel is
(Melchidael/draw sigil)! Thee I invoke!"

"I invoke Thee Lord
of Valor who kindles the Fires of Vitality and Courage within my Soul! Initiator of (growth and inspiration)! Grant me your stamina and strength! Bestow upon me your bold creativity and
enthusiasm! Thus I go forward with the
resolve of the Ram beating in my breast, ever forward to prosper and
attain. Ever forward with the life
giving Waters of the Spring in my Soul, and the Fiery Ram of the Stars within
my heart!"

Stand in
the Position of the Cross and Vibrate "Yod-Heh-Vau-Heh" four times using the
vibratory formula. Feel a connection
between the Sign of Aries and the corresponding part of your Sphere of Sensation
(ie. the head for Gimel/Mars and the
right foot for the Hebrew Letter - Heh/Aries).
Breathe in the energy of Mars.
Temper the energy with Divine Light of your Kether and Venus.

Contemplate the
Light.

Go to the West of
the alter and face the East. Raise your
hands and say,

"Not unto my name, O Adonai, but unto Thy
Name be ascribed the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, now and forever more!
Amen!" Give the LVX Signs (if known)

Purify and consecrate the Temple with Water
and Fire as in the beginning .

Perform the reverse
cicumabulation and wind down energy raised.

Return to position
of Aries in the Temple and Banish the Hexagram of Mar: ARARITA, Elohim Gibor, Aleph. Trace the
Sigil of Aries - vibrate YHVH.

Perform Lesser
Banishing Ritual of the Hexagram of Mars, beginning with Qabalistic Cross and
Keyword Analysis.

Perform SBRP for
Fire in all Quarters.

Perform LBRR and BRH

Return to the East
and say:

"I
now release any and all spirits (energies) that imprisoned (bound) by this
ceremony. Depart in peace to your abodes and habitations (and return quickly,
peacefully, and fully when called again).
Go with the blessings of YHShVH and YHVShH." Trace the Rose+Cross.

Give Five Knocks (I I I I I)

"I know declare this Temple Closed!"

"So Mote it Be! Amen!"

Franz Bardon

Franz
Bardon, a Czech author of several books on magic, suggested that magical
rituals, particularly those of evocation be simple and direct in comparison to
those of the Golden Dawn. In his work, The
Practice of Magical Evocation, Bardon gives the following outline for the performing
of magical operations, which is to be suitably adapted to zodical rituals,
and the evocation of the various beings of each planet and sign. Bardon. s
technique more closely resembles those of the old Medieval and
Renaissance techniques in that it is more flexible and less structured than
more modern rituals.

Two
magical mirrors are needed, although crystal balls, or bowls of fresh clean
water can be substituted.

Prior
to the actual ritual, the magician should bath, or at least wash their hands
and drink some clean water. The idea of
all physical and psychic obstructions and influences being washed away should
fill your imagination.

When
dressing, the foremost idea is that all influences, both positive or negative,
are negated, and that the will of the magician is supreme. This protective attitude must be maintained
during the ritual. When you place your
cap, cowl, or band upon your head, the final thought that it is not the
magician, but God that carries through the entire operation.

The author states:

"You must unite yourself with
the Divine principle inside you in such a way that you have the feeling that
you are the deity itself."[12]

Light
your magic lamp, being sure that the color it projects is that of the planet or
Sign being invoked. Green for Venus, Red
for Mars, etc. Here of course, an electric light or colored bulbs are easiest
to use. Place it on or above the altar, or anywhere it will fill the room with
filtered light.

Draw your magic circle.

Impregnate
your magic mirror, crystal, or bowl of water with the green light using the
power of your imagination. Be conscious
that it is not you, the magician, but Deity, that is carrying out the
operation. You must feel that the light is a veritable matrix of energy and
power, concentrating in the mirror as it did the room previously.

You
must have the permanent impression that your are moving about in the room in an
oscillating (green) light. This is the
way to prepare, magically, the room for the being to be evoked, and in a room
like this there will be no more obstacles for the being and it will feel the
atmosphere of its own sphere. Already
at the moment you accumulate the light you concentrate on the idea that the
purpose of this accumulation is to condense the evoked spirit being in a manner
that you can see it with your physical eyes and hear it with your physical
ears. The stronger your imagination,
belief, will and conviction, the better condensed and truer (the spirit) will
appear to you. When impregnating the
room, do not forget to include that you wish the accumulated planetary (or
zodiacal) light-power to remain in the mirror (or crystal, etc.) and in the
room until you dissolve it again by force of your imagination.

Now, you
start impregnating the other mirror by charging it with the Akasha-principle.
Project, by force of imagination,
into the surface of the mirror, the idea that not any disturbing
being, not any unwanted power or the like will penetrate into your workroom.[13]

Take
the sigil of the sphere being invoked, and trace the sigil with your wand, sword,
or finger. Concentrating into the seal
the qualities of the being evoked. In
addition, concentrate on the idea that the being is allied to the sign and must
react to it at any time, willingly, to perform the task it is assigned. The magician must also keep in mind, that it
is not they that draw the sign, but God, and that the being will render
complete obedience to Deity. The author
states, that with this attitude, success is guaranteed.

Bardon
now states, the we can begin the preparation of the Magic Circle and Triangle
of Art, or evocation. The lines that
form them must be re-drawn with the sword, wand, or hand, and the attitude to
be taken is that the circle represents eternity and the unity of the macrocosm
and microcosm; while the triangle is the three dimensions of the mental,
astral, and material forms of the being called forth.

As
with traditional rituals, the triangle is outside of the circle, and the
talisman is placed inside of it.

The
nature and symbolism of the circle, or circles, is left entirely to the
operator. However, if four circles are
used, they have the names and sigils of the 1) Elemental, 2) Planetary, 3)
Zodiacal, and 4) Divine Names of the Quarters inscribed within them.

Of
course, incense can be used to either attract the energy of the sphere, or its
being, that is being contacted; or, as a means of giving shape and form to the
being if it is being evoked into the Triangle of Art.

With implement of evocation
in hand, the magician stands in the center of the circle and imagines that
they are God, and that their power and consciousness is everywhere. This is
very important, and stressed by Bardon
several times. This kind of .
changing places. with the Cosmos, is also suggested as a meditative technique of
its own by the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, and constitutes a kind of . Cosmic
Assumption. instead of the usual specific, but limited, Assumption of the
Godform used often in modern ceremonial magic. Here, all of the . forms. are cast aside, and the very essence of
creation itself is assumed by the Operator.

magician now calls forth the name of the
entity being evoked, be it Elemental, planetary, or zodiacal, and imagines that
their voice carries forth across the entire region of the sphere they are
contacting. That the entity hears them,
and is compelled to answer, because it is God itself that is calling them.

Continue calling forth the
name, from a loud vibration, until it is a soft and gentle whisper.

The being should soon appear
in the Triangle.

Of
course, Bardon is applying this technique to the experiment of evocation, and
not invocation, the two being very different works in magic. However, an experienced magician should be
able to compare the above material to that of the previous Golden Dawn ritual
and derive a means of adapting it to suit their needs as an invocation of a
specific zodiacal force.

Mediation Technique

Those wishing to dispense with ritual altogether, or to a minimum,
can perform similar techniques as meditations. Here, the process becomes as simple or complicated
as the practitioner desires. After deciding which Sign to meditate on
(assuming you have done them already once in solar order, starting in the Sign
of Aries) simply visualize its sigil and/or Hebrew letter in the center of your
heart. Imagine yourself inhaling the
proper permutation of the Tetragrammaton associated with it, spinning around
the letter, in your heart. You may
even inhale this name, spin while you hold your breath, and exhale the name with
the air, holding it out and in front of you in blazing white light as breathing
is suspended. The normal .
square breathing. of inhale to 4 (or 5 or 6), hold for 4, exhale for 4, and
hold out for 4, will be sufficient for this exercise.

As time goes by, increase
your associations with the letter, feeling its virtues increase within you, as
the negative aspects of the sign decrease with each exhalation. Add the planetary sign and its letter as you
go. Of course, there is no end to the
amount of ingenuity that can be developed here, with colors, archangels, and
other associations slowly being added with each practice of the technique.

The heart is used as it is the center
of our . intuitive consciousness. the . seat of the soul. and the
ultimate place that we must go to for genuine inner teachings. This method is very similar to one used by
the Spanish qabalist Abulafia. It is
simple, easy to perform, yields great results, and all that is needed is to
imagine the Hebrew Names of God and an additional letter or two as times goes
on.

Closing

As stated at the beginning of this article, Zodical magic
is among the most difficult forms of ritual work to perform since it requires a
substantial amount of previous experience, knowledge, and understanding of
magical practices. It can, however,
also be very rewarding and well worth the effort, for by the time the average
student reaches the point of wanting to perform these forms of rituals, most of
the rituals sub-components are already second nature to them, making the actual
work of Zodiacal magic less daunting than it appears.

[3] In the
Golden Dawn system the Elements are ordered: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. PON
uses this method in that it allows for a better amalgamation between alchemy
and qabala, and represents not the order of the creation of the Elements, but
their ordering after they were created.
See the Sepher Yetzirah for more information.

[8] The Major
Arcane are generally placed on the Paths, the Suit cards on the Spheres, and
the Court cards on the Worlds. However,
this is a convention held over from the Golden Dawn and its modern derivatives.
Aliester Crowley however, has an interesting set of attributions for the Suits,
in which the cards represent very specific astrological combinations. See:
The Book of Thoth. Also, One of
the first authors of the modern tarot, Oswald Wirth, places the Major Arcane on
the Sepheroth, and not on the Paths, with some limited, but interesting
correspondences.